Display Technology Taken to New Heights at NASA

Radiological Control Center renovation just in time for Mars Science Lab launch

Background

If the most critical part of your mission lasts only 50 seconds, the right technology can make the difference. When NASA launches a vehicle that includes a radioisotope power source, the first crucial seconds of the launch must be monitored by the NASA Radiological Control Center (RADCC), which is responsible for monitoring, and coordinating protective actions in the unlikely event of a launch accident that releases radioactive material in the launch area.

The job of RADCC scientists became a lot easier in November when the Mars Science Lab lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center. This was the first mission using a newly redesigned and reconfigured RADCC, with a complicated array of new technology made simple and seamless thanks to the Crestron control system.

Mission critical

NASA does not launch payloads with radioisotope power sources every day, but their importance to a mission’s success is well recognized.

“The 2003 Mars Rovers had eight radioisotope heat sources, each about the size of a 35 mm roll of film,” says Randall Scott, Radiological Control Director for NASA. “The heat they produced kept critical components from freezing at night on the Martian surface and helped the rovers, designed to last 90 days, remain functional for over six years.”

The Mars Science Lab, with the rover “Curiosity” tucked in its belly, launched with a nuclear battery containing plutonium dioxide. Even though the likelihood of a release of radioactive material was low because the fuel was in ceramic form and encased in strong metal alloy with three layers of a heat resistant carbon fiber material, it was still necessary to establish an assessment capability should a launch mishap occur. Scott wanted the newly designed RADCC ready for that launch.

The RADCC existed in some form for nearly 40 years but was overdue for renovation. Scott and his team began by gutting and enlarging the room, then dividing it into two areas of operation: technology and management.

During a launch, representatives from a variety of government agencies sit on the management side, including FEMA, the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, the EPA and emergency management agencies from Brevard County and the state of Florida. NASA scientists and technical support personnel from the Department of Energy and other federal and state organizations sit in the slightly larger technical area, most at workstations positioned in a U shape to offer more efficient exchange of data. Each workstation has a custom-built console that allows RADCC personnel to plug in their laptops and provide up-to-the-minute information during launch. Operators display output from these laptops on nine plasma monitors ranging from 42 to 58 inches, plus four digital projectors with drop-down wall screens. In addition, scientists can view live video of the launch from 11 cable boxes and recorded video from two DVD players. They also have video conferencing capabilities in both areas. Multiple ceiling speakers provide zoned audio to three different areas of the room.

Team scientists use their laptops to receive data from a variety of sources including 30 Environmental Continuous Air Monitors (ECAM) spread in and around the Kennedy Space Center to monitor air quality for the presence of any radioactive material. They also view information from 16 field teams mobilized to monitor the ground and respond in the case of a positive reading from an ECAM following any launch accident. The team also receives constant updates on wind direction and velocity, weather changes, telemetry data, and animated scenarios of possible event results.

Controlling the control room

Bill Lally, president of Orlando-based independent programming company Mode:Green programmed the Crestron control system. “We needed a simple way to handle the large number of sources coming in and make them switch easily and quickly, so we created an on-screen image of the layout of the room itself with the sources and monitors included. All an operator has to do is touch the image of the console they want to display and then touch the monitor they want to send it to.”

When the RADCC is in launch mode, all component controls are accessible from a trio of Crestron touch screens, which have identical interfaces. While one remains in the equipment rack, two operators under Scott’s direction are seated at the other two, executing his orders as to what data to display on which monitor. Crestron provides an intuitive and consistent experience experience across all touch screens, including the Director's PC (running Crestron XPanel software) and Apple® iPad® (running Crestron Mobile Pro G). The interface is so simple that there’s little chance of a mistake in an emergency situation.

Of course, emergencies are rare. In four decades of radiological launches there have only been three accidents. In 1964, the nuclear power source of a navigational satellite reentering the atmosphere burned up in the upper atmosphere, as it was designed to do. Four years later a rocket took off from California but landed in the Pacific. The power source was undamaged, salvaged and used in another vehicle.

“And then there was Apollo 13 where they had an accident on the way to the moon,” says Scott. “They had to use the Lunar Lander as their lifeboat back to earth. Since they never made it to the moon, the nuclear power source was still attached to the Lander. Ultimately the astronauts transferred back into the capsule for landing, and that power source went in to the Pacific Ocean’s Tonga Trench, which is several thousand feet down.”

The RADCC stands ready to fully support any NASA launch requiring a radioisotope power source. “We rehearse constantly before a mission,” Scott says. If there ever is a release of any radioactive material, personnel would kick in to high gear, getting the word out immediately to the public and their respective agencies through several pathways including the videoconferencing systems installed in the RADCC.

“One of the last phases of the project was to build a secondary room to facilitate information release to the media,” says Lally. “Besides public affairs representatives from several federal & state agencies, NASA added a Twitter^® station and a Facebook^® station and were actually blogging the whole launch procedure for the Mars mission. We were sending them feeds, which the Crestron system handled as well, and it managed the video conferencing in the event something happened.”

The launch of the Mars Science Lab went off without a hitch. The team spent their 50 seconds intensely monitoring the vehicle and the environment, but there was no need to deal with an emergency. There may not be another radioactive launch until 2016, but the RADCC will be available for other launches as well, acting as backup to the Kennedy Space Center’s Emergency Operations Center, a job it is now fully equipped to handle.

In the end, Scott got what he asked for: a simple and seamless system. “The technology needs to stay out of the way,” says Lally. “And it needs to be seamless for the user, because if an emergency occurs, they won’t have time to think about how to use it.”

Crestron Helps Secure Olympic Games

With the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics hours away, lets revisit how Crestron helped secure the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver:

Led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit was responsible for securing the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The massive AV support systems needed for the RCMP Command Centres played a critical role in the success of the security effort, and were delivered by Crestron and Canada’s leading AV supplier AVW-TELAV.

The two major venues for the 2010 Winter Olympics were in Vancouver and Whistler, situated about 100 miles apart. The security infrastructure was similarly separated, to protect the tens of thousands of athletes and visitors from all over the world. A Military Command and Control Center was set up at Whistler; the Local Command Center, the Master Command Center and their respective backup facilities were located in Vancouver.

Audio and video came from diverse AV sources and locations, with 30 centralized feeds routed through the Master Command Center (the main AV control facility), which was equipped with 37 HD displays. Sources included more than 100 HD security cameras, four to five simultaneous HD broadcast feeds of the individual events, HD mapping graphics and an assortment of high resolution computer applications, such as computer-driven digital signage. All feeds were delivered to and from the Master Command Center using the latest Crestron DigitalMedia (DM) products and HD switchers. A total of 12 Crestron control systems served as the “brains” behind the complete, integrated AV solution.

DM provided the communications backbone for each facility, due in part to its highly reliable, single platform infrastructure. DM transmits multiple signals over fiber, including analog audio and video, high-res computer, HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, Ethernet and USB keyboard/mouse control over a single wire. DM Fiber distributes full HD content up to 1000 feet, and provides exceptional resistance to data interception. In addition, DM extracts audio from HDMI, routing stereo to speakers in multiple rooms without the need for an additional processor.

Fourteen Crestron DVPHD multi-window video processors enabled security personnel to monitor selected sources in up to eight simultaneous, full-motion video windows on each display. Stringent security required that all requests for video feeds went to the Master Command Center and/or the Military Command and Control Center. Crestron Roomview® Server Edition enabled full control over signal routing from 18 cascaded DM-MD16X16 switchers. Forty HD-MD8X2 QuickSwitch HD HDMI switchers, 50 DM-TX-100-F and 30 DM-TX300N-F fiber transmitters and 80 DM-RMC-100-F fiber receivers completed the signal paths feeding all the uncompressed signals to the DVPHDs or directly to a display.

Also, signals could be routed to and from on-site conference rooms and other designated buildings around the complex for press conferences, media interviews and other meetings. In addition to the primary routing system, a stand-alone DM-MD8X8 switcher — with all fiber inputs and outputs — routed the highest security content.

Crestron Media Presentation Button Panel (MP-B10 and MP-B20) units and an MPC-M25 Media Presentation Controller supplied local control in each conference room. DM-TX-300N-F fiber transmitters provided audio and video input connectivity for a laptop, local computer or other portable AV sources. Any of these local sources could be routed through the main DM switcher, enabling the sharing of content across the network. The Crestron audio amplifiers and mixers that fed the conference rooms were located in the main control room, eliminating the need for local racks of equipment.

“This type of quality of product and the commitment to professionalism truly ensured that the Olympic Command Centres had all the right tools,” said Paul Weisbeck, Audio Visual Planner & Coordinator, Vancouver2010 ISU/RCMP. “The mere fact that Crestron and AVW-TELAV delivered a system that had all the capacity to handle High Definition was amazing, and the success of the project was worthy of a gold medal in itself.”

"The ISU/RCMP knew that all the content in the stores, hotels, sports venues and security stations needed to be digital. The concern for them was how to manage and distribute all the HD content safely and reliably," observed Vin Bruno, Crestron Director of Marketing. "Once they evaluated DigitalMedia, the decision was made quickly. No other system was able to handle all the different formats over fiber, manage all the embedded data and transmit multiple HD signals simultaneously."

Crestron Helps Set the Mood for the Brooklyn Nets

Barclays Center, slated to open in September 2012, is an 850,000 square foot, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue and home of the Brooklyn Nets professional basketball team. 

McCann Systems of Edison, NJ was tasked by the Nets to integrate an audio visual environment that would bring the arena and skyboxes to life, and give potential luxury suite owners a way to experience the environment before it actually exists. The result was the sales suite at Barclays Center Showroom, on the 38th floor of The New York Times Building in Manhattan (on Eighth Avenue between 40th and 41st Streets). 

A Crestron CP2E control system manages all the AV sources and displays. In reception, two flat panel monitors deliver customized welcome messages for each prospective client. In the adjacent Gallery Area, dynamic content is fed by four suspended projectors onto a 6’ square multimedia cube. Presenters can recall video clips that highlight various aspects of the Barclay Center, such as amenities (private entrances, access to exclusive restaurants and lounges and dedicated premium concierge services); hotel-inspired hospitality that will be offered from “street to suite”; open-air seats with exceptional sightlines, and suite sizes (350-650 square feet, based on location).

From the Gallery, visitors stroll up a ramp to an impressive, 500 square foot replica of a luxury skybox suite, where two 50” plasma monitors and a 16” flat panel TV can access all available sources.  The suite has two lighting zones, with five preset lighting scenes that create just the right atmosphere for both lounge activities and arena views of different sightlines and event simulations.

A Crestron TPS-6L in-wall color touchpanel manages the lighting presets and AV source selection, which includes a CEN-IDOC interface and docking station for iPod®, DVD player and CATV decoder. "The Crestron controller and touchpanel makes the user experience simple and intuitive, said McCann project manager Joseph Fusaro. “Imagine people walking in and using the suite AV system with little or no prompting!"

To help prospects choose the best arena skyboxes for their purposes, McCann integrated an interactive audio visual experience that simulates views of various sporting and concert events from diverse suite locations. Sales personnel may select any of the 40 sightlines, enabling prospects to make their location choice based on actual outlooks from any of the 118 suites that wrap the arena on two levels. Since the arena will be used for concerts as well as sporting events, sample views of each type are available. 

McCann’s audio visual specialists installed a 10’ x 39’ curved screen in front of the seats and used four edge-blended projectors to provide the realistic virtual view from what will be the Barclays Center luxury skybox suites.

Guests Revel at Crestron Controlled Hotel Rooms

Crestron automated room control brings luxurious experience to guests and significant savings to property 

After years in decline, Atlantic City is poised for a rebirth led by Revel^™, an upscale $2.4 billion resort and casino that opened in April.  

Among its amenities are Crestron systems in all guest rooms, meeting rooms and public areas that go far beyond anything previously installed, even in high-end Las Vegas properties.

“This is by far the most sophisticated system in any hotel anywhere in the United States,” says William Schafer, principal of Warwick, NY-based Assurity Design Group. “By integrating all of the hotel’s major systems, including lighting, HVAC, audio/video, door locks, mini bar, shades and drapes, the property dramatically improves the guest experience, simplifies system monitoring and maintenance and has saved nearly $2 million over the cost of installing separate systems.”

Throughout the four years it took to plan, implement and commission this system, Assurity worked hand-in-hand with engineers at Crestron, who developed several new products specifically with this project in mind.  “Revel has definitely set the bar for every hotel in the United States,” adds Schafer.

Automated amenities  

One of the biggest advances that Revel brings to the hotel industry is automation of its sleeping rooms.  The Crestron system goes to work as soon as the guest checks in, automatically setting temperature and lighting levels to comfortable, welcoming levels.

Once in the room, the guest has full control over lights, climate, TV, pay-per-view movies, and the mini bar from a simple, Crestron handheld remote. Press the “Do Not Disturb” button and the doorbell is disabled and a red indicator is displayed outside. Press “Housekeeping” and a green “Service Needed” indicator lights up outside. Before guests leave the room, they can simply turn off all systems with the touch of one button.  In ADA-accessible rooms and suites, the system also provides drapery and shading control.

All of these functions are connected to Revel’s property management system, so that the front desk, reservations, billing, marketing and security can access them as needed. When guests check out, the Crestron management system automatically turns off everything (lights, TV, climate control, etc.) in that room, resulting in significant energy savings.   

In addition, each of the guest room systems is constantly monitored for possible problems through Crestron Fusion RV™ software. Assurity staff works in tandem with the IT and facility departments to help maintain and operate these systems, Schafer explains. “They know if there’s a problem in the room, even before the guest notices. For example, if the temperature hits 80 degrees and that’s not how the guest normally likes it, we will check to see if there’s a mechanical problem, an electronics problem, or if the guest desired this temperature.  The system is so comprehensive, Schafer adds, “It will know when the batteries need to be replaced in a remote.”

Although similar systems have been installed in high-roller suites in some Las Vegas hotels, at Revel every one of its 1,898 guest rooms is automated, from standard guest rooms to luxurious loft suites, which feature two stories of windows with spectacular views. Furthermore, this is the first time these systems have been integrated to this degree, and that’s a major advantage to the property. 

“As in most other hotels,” Schafer explains, “everyone’s product is networked. You have a mini bar that rides on a wireless network, as does the room key system and a doorbell/room entry system, with each company normally installing its own network and its own server.

“In a building this size, to install those three separate networks, each with its own wiring and parts would have cost close to $2 million more than our solution, which was to integrate everything onto a single Crestron network.”

Another important advantage to Revel’s guest room system is that it can be upgraded very rapidly. “For example, we recently added a sleep timer function similar to what you’d find on a TV remote, except that it turns the lights off in addition to the TV. Once we had written the code and tested it, we were able to upgrade the entire building in about 30 minutes, without the need to visit a single room or disturb a single guest.” Another new feature, which Schafer hopes to implement soon, will save guests’ temperature and lighting preferences, so that when they return for future stays, their room will automatically be set up the way they like it.

Luxury suites

The hotel features five two-bedroom Hospitality Suites and two three-bedroom Sky Suites on its exclusive 44th floor, each with a living room, mini kitchen and bar, two full baths and a dining/conference area.

Each of these suites offers guests a music system with multiple iPod^® docs and XM^® radio, using a multi-zone Crestron Adagio^® media system to allow guests to play what they choose in any room.  The suites also include a wireless Crestron touch screen controller to further simplify the use of the various electronic systems.

Two super-luxurious Sky Suites add a media room, two private massage rooms and a butler’s pantry to the floor plan. In addition to the other amenities, they offer a Crestron DigitalMedia^™ solution that allows guests to watch the same movie on any or all of six large-screen TVs, either from the hotel’s video system or an in-room Blu-ray Disc^®  player. 

The electronics in the luxury suites represent collaboration between Assurity Design for the electronic amenities and Cerami & Associates of New York City for the audio/video systems, with KMK Technologies of Monroeville, NJ handling the installation.

Conference and common areas

The innovations at Revel continue beyond its guest rooms and suites.

The common and back-of-house areas of the hotel –the lobbies, halls, employee lounges and restrooms– all use centralized Crestron lighting control, together with Crestron dimming systems and occupancy sensors – to maximize their energy efficiency and minimize their carbon footprint.

In addition, Cerami & Associates designed audio/video systems for a conference center and more than a dozen restaurants and bars, all using Crestron DigitalMedia technology, to optimize quality while reducing installation and maintenance costs. These systems also feature Crestron control to simplify operations.

“We have integrated all of these systems with Fusion RV as well, so that Assurity staff can monitor them constantly and anticipate any problems before they occur,” Schafer explains.

For Atlantic City, the opening of Revel is more than the addition of a fancy new hotel and casino. “Governor Christie worked hard to ensure that this property was built here, because he saw it as an opportunity for the state, which it definitely is,” Schafer says.

“Four years ago I started traveling to Atlantic City regularly to work on this project. In those few years I’ve seen a transformation. The city has been revitalized. New homes and condos are being built. Other hotels have watching what Revel has been building, and I think they’ve been saying, ‘we’ve got to pick up our game.’

“Revel is setting the bar, and that’s a great thing for the hotel industry.”

Crestron, the Crestron logo, Adagio, DigitalMedia, and Fusion RV are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Crestron Electronics, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. iPod is either a trademark or registered trademark of Apple, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Blu-ray Disc is either a trademark or registered trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) in the United States and/or other countries. Revel is either a trademark or registered trademark of Revel Entertainment Group, LLC in the United States and/or other countries. XM is either a trademark or registered trademark of Sirius XM Radio Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Crestron disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

©2012 Crestron Electronics, Inc.

Crestron on CBS Evening News

In case you missed it, Crestron was featured on the CBS Evening News last Friday. In the segment, founder, George Feldstein, and EVP, Randly Klein, explain how Crestron is hiring in this rough times. Check out the full segment below.